tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55896655775604529252024-03-14T08:09:22.003+08:00Diary of a Fabric AddictCarlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-22424582634622967112011-02-20T19:24:00.000+08:002011-02-20T19:24:16.909+08:00Happier than a cyclone over warm waters....Yes that would be Paul. Before he left for Port Hedland he was adamant, "there will be a cyclone while up I'm there, I bet!!!" And one has just managed to scrape in. As it turns out ex-TC Carlos (soon to be reinstated as TC Carlos) will be off the coast of Port Hedland Tuesday morning, the very day that Paul was due to fly back to Perth *sigh*. So it looks like I'm still in charge of the monkey factory for a few extra days. Paul on the other hand is very happy to be able to say "see, I told you there'd be a cyclone". Port Hedland is currently on Blue Alert and as Paul is in charge up there at the moment its up to him to make sure that all preparations are in place to ensure the safety of the crew. The crew certainly have nothing to worry about - Carlos is just a baby at Category 2 and nothing makes Paul happier than planning and preparation... happier than a cyclone over warm waters even.Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-26659240171817755902011-02-19T10:30:00.000+08:002011-02-19T11:33:26.797+08:00What do you do when you can't be there to sooth their tears......you go home and make them something instead so hopefully they will realise that even if you weren't with them you were thinking about them the whole time!!<div><br />
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</div><div>On Wednesday I dropped Chloe off at kindy and the penny finally dropped. As much as she loves the painting and drawing and play dough and puzzles and as much as she loves her teachers Mrs H and Mrs B, she's finally realised that I leave. The first few times I think the novelty was enough to win her over but on Wednesday she started crying as I was going. Mrs B, the most beautiful soul on earth, was there immediately with lots of hugs and telling Chloe all the wonderful things they had planned for the day. Because Alex attended this particular kindy last year as well, Chloe knows both Mrs H and Mrs B very well and has a very strong liking for Mrs B so I knew that Mrs B would win her over. Still its not a nice feeling is it, leaving when your little one so desperately wants you.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I already had plans for some lovely fabric but I knew those plans would need to be put into action immediately. With swatch in hand (how lucky was that), it was off to Spotlight for contrast fabrics and thread then home again to start cutting. Later in the day I would be arriving at kindy with a dress for Chloe, I wasn't there during the day but I was thinking about her the whole time...</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kuFMbldEObY/TV8kBCzKtiI/AAAAAAAAATI/TnasbwcI-Ik/s1600/IMG_9103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kuFMbldEObY/TV8kBCzKtiI/AAAAAAAAATI/TnasbwcI-Ik/s320/IMG_9103.JPG" width="218" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Its <a href="http://modkidboutique.com/Kyoko.html">Modkids Kyoko pattern</a>, however if you've been in Perth lately you'll know that the weather has been disgusting - hot, humid, sticky, blah!!!! So I ditched the idea of sleeves and went with a bound, sleeveless look instead much cooler in my opinion. I also thought that being sleeveless she would be able to wear long sleeves underneath when (if!!!) the weather cools down making it quite versatile. So although the Kyoko pattern doesn't show/have a sleeveless version let me assure you it is incredibly easy to do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The pretty geisha fabric comes from <a href="http://www.fabricjungle.com.au/">The Fabric Jungle</a>. The inspiration however came from a lovely friend <a href="http://caljai.blogspot.com/">Mel</a> (seriously some of the most beautiful things you will ever see on her blog) who used the fabric in a gorgeous skirt set. The black butterfly fabric was an end of bolt from Spotlight. I was originally going to get something in a soft grey with flowers (you can probably see the black geisha has grey butterflies on her dress in the next picture) but when I saw the black with the butterflies I knew it was meant to be. The selvedge says its by Sugar and Spice Textiles. Made for each other don't you think...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QR6i1EPMvn0/TV8oUEnQ3oI/AAAAAAAAATM/Sq1Bu_gu6Xg/s1600/IMG_9106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QR6i1EPMvn0/TV8oUEnQ3oI/AAAAAAAAATM/Sq1Bu_gu6Xg/s320/IMG_9106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I loved putting this pattern together, so, so easy. From whoa (woe LOL) to go in a matter of hours. The instructions are so clear and well written with lots of photographs. I used french seams so along with the binding its as neat on the inside as it is on the outside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She had a great day as always, lots of painting (you should see my fridge!!!) and fun and I was waiting there with her new dress and she was all smiles...</div><div><br />
</div></div>Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-6890172967309047202011-02-19T09:47:00.000+08:002011-02-19T09:50:32.763+08:00My Creative Space - Up close and personal...I've missed a few Creative Spaces lately, simply because the start of a new school year is pretty hectic at the best of times. Throw in two children starting new phases of their lives - namely Alex attending his first year of pre-primary at the private school Samuel attends and Chloe attending her first year of kindy at a local state school. So I travel between two school, Chloe's pickup and drop off times normally work brilliantly with the other school except for those first couple of weeks when we deal with the dreaded half days. Alex has done two weeks of half days, Chloe one so on the two days Chloe goes to school I drop everyone off in the morning, I might go and do the shopping or run errands (or like I did on Wednesday go and spend some glorious kid-free time at Spotlight, what a treat!!!), pick Alex up at 12, pick Chloe up at 1.30, then finally pick Samuel up after 3ish. As you can imagine it really wrecks the day. However, Alex finished his last half day yesterday so no more running around like a headless chicken carting kids here, there and everywhere.<br />
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Yesterday I also received an ebay auction win... namely this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BhuK_7CqiyE/TV8er_a4bPI/AAAAAAAAATE/-bYXikA0_Xk/s1600/IMG_9102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BhuK_7CqiyE/TV8er_a4bPI/AAAAAAAAATE/-bYXikA0_Xk/s320/IMG_9102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is actually the very first time I've ever been up close and personal with a jelly roll before. I'm not a quilter, as much as I love them, but I've found a BOM which has captured me and so I'm going to give it a try. Its <a href="http://www.littlemissshabby.com/">here</a>, Little Miss Shabby - Adventures in Quilting and wow the whole website is bursting with gorgeous colours, stunning quilts and pretty cushion - it makes me want to try them all!!!! The quilt I'm going to try my hand at though is <a href="http://www.littlemissshabby.com/2010/12/birdie-stitches-supply-list/">Birdie Stitches</a>, the little birdies just look adorable. I've decided to use Lila Tuellers Eden by Moda (as you can see) and so have been wondering what to use as the backing. At first I was going to use the Dahlias, then I thought about using Paradise but since having got the jelly roll, I'm absolutely loving the dots. If only there was some way of making a removable backing then I'd make a backing in all the different varieties LOL. I'm so looking forward to spending a little time each day embroidering my Birdie Stitches quilt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To see what everyone else is up close and personal to visit <a href="http://www.kootoyoo.com/2011/02/my-creative-space-4.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+Kootoyoo+(kootoyoo)">My Creative Space</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-74866238996491661622011-01-27T10:27:00.000+08:002011-01-27T10:28:10.328+08:00My Creative SpaceThe boys have taken Daddy to the museum today so someone else has been featuring rather largely in my creative space today. So here is my collaborative assistant taking you on a tour of a couple of the crafty genres we have sampled so far today...<br />
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Firstly, to the kitchen for cooking:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TUDVkehDSEI/AAAAAAAAASw/YPwMdYr7-ng/s1600/One+for+the+cake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TUDVkehDSEI/AAAAAAAAASw/YPwMdYr7-ng/s320/One+for+the+cake.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One small spoon for cake...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TUDVjZN0GHI/AAAAAAAAASs/eaWvw3Y4FBs/s1600/One+for+me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TUDVjZN0GHI/AAAAAAAAASs/eaWvw3Y4FBs/s320/One+for+me.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One giant spoon for Chloe-kind!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next stop, the dining room for a bit of painting fun (and to try out the new Dora art smock)...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TUDVl2K88GI/AAAAAAAAAS0/L0dsDK55jiM/s1600/Painting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TUDVl2K88GI/AAAAAAAAAS0/L0dsDK55jiM/s320/Painting.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally we head to the front room for some serious discussion on what sewing project to tackle today...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TUDViNuTn6I/AAAAAAAAASo/bVodg9AqWto/s1600/Fabric+for+today.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TUDViNuTn6I/AAAAAAAAASo/bVodg9AqWto/s320/Fabric+for+today.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So what shall we make... a dress, a top, a skirt.... and what colour??? I guess I'll just have to wait for the creative assistant to get back from morning tea...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TUDVm8UWluI/AAAAAAAAAS4/byfAmQiuPxg/s1600/Done.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TUDVm8UWluI/AAAAAAAAAS4/byfAmQiuPxg/s320/Done.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">or maybe, I might just join her!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And do join us at kootoyoo for <a href="http://www.kootoyoo.com/2011/01/my-creative-space_27.html">My Creative Space</a> today...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-38200846286855165292011-01-20T21:12:00.000+08:002011-01-27T10:28:10.328+08:00My Creative SpaceAll last year, every Thursday in fact, I would watch as post after post in my reader would pop up saying "My Creative Space". And every Thursday I would want to join in but didn't. <b>How silly is that!!!</b> My excuse to myself always was "I don't have a creative space yet". I can't really use that excuse any more because I do have a creative space now. So one must jump in feet first don't you think.<br />
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At the moment I'm giving the sewing machines a rest. My Creative Space currently revolves around this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TTgxsrD8gHI/AAAAAAAAASg/DmiLnpo9JFs/s1600/IMG_9037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TTgxsrD8gHI/AAAAAAAAASg/DmiLnpo9JFs/s320/IMG_9037.JPG" width="255" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TTgxtcjBK7I/AAAAAAAAASk/m2aKYesddZ4/s1600/IMG_9034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TTgxtcjBK7I/AAAAAAAAASk/m2aKYesddZ4/s320/IMG_9034.JPG" width="172" /></a></div><br />
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I scored this cute little dolls high chair from a swap meet a couple of weekends ago for $3. Granted it was a horrible green/black colour but I'm slowly turning it white. The top picture shows the way it sort of folds in half to become a table and chair. It works in theory but not quite in practise, who ever cut the legs in half didn't do a particularly good job so they are all uneven and it wobbles terribly and the high chair tray is too long so it pushes the chair up when its been flipped over to the back. So I'm going to restore it to its intended purpose as just a high chair. And although its only half painted in these pictures, the whole chair is now white and its been broken down into its various parts ready to be carefully put back together.<br />
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Its a slow process though... the chair keeps disappearing. Fortunately I don't have to look too far for it, Chloe will be off somewhere feeding her dolls. They don't seem to be in the least bit concerned about the colour or state of disrepair.<br />
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Do pop along and join in <a href="http://www.kootoyoo.com/2011/01/my-creative-space.html">My Creative Space</a>, don't be a silly sausage like me and put it off... and off... and off!!!Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-28973658112242949272011-01-20T07:43:00.000+08:002011-01-20T07:43:24.390+08:00I have a little secret to share with you...I have not one, not two but three children going off to school this year. Granted Chloe will only be at kindy 2 days a week but they will be two full days. Alex will be in pre-primary full time and Samuel of course being in Year 3 this year is also fulltime.<br />
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So whats the secret? Secretly, I'm so relieved... yes, relieved. Not happy (although I'm happy that school holidays are almost over and the end of the fighting and whining and carry on), not excited (well maybe a bit LOL) but relieved. Do you know that feeling after a long days work when you get home and sort of fall into your favourite chair cuddling your favourite cushion and at the same time exhaling? That's very much how I imagine my first day home alone to be.<br />
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Of course, I fully expect to miss them terribly and I'll definitely miss my little shopping buddy. After all who else will drag me off too Bed, Bath and Table and The Body Shop if not Chloe. But I also think about all the things that I want to do... sewing, cooking, sorting, organising, gardening. Yes they are all things that can be done with kids around, so many people do these very things day in, day out with their own children around and manage marvellously. I'm the sort of person that becomes very focussed on a task though and I find interruptions throw me totally so I guess I'm looking forward to being able to throw myself into things completely for a few hours a day. <br />
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But February is going to be a very lonely month this year because not only are the kids heading off to school but hubby is off to site for three weeks as well from the 1st of Feb!!! Gosh, I'm not going to know myself. So one project that I especially want to do while he is away is the <a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/negroni">Negroni Shirt by Colette Patterns</a>. As an added bonus there is a <a href="http://malepatternboldness.blogspot.com/2011/01/mpb-mens-shirt-sew-along.html">sew along</a> happening for this shirt which by amazing coincidence also starts on the 1st of Feb. It's fate I tell you!!! So the fabric has been ordered from <a href="http://www.fabrictales.com/">Fabric Tales</a> and should be winging its way to me as I type and I've got the pattern so now all I have to do is wait patiently for 1 Feb.Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-67949453855137887982011-01-11T16:50:00.000+08:002011-01-20T08:10:23.849+08:00I love a sunburnt country...<div style="text-align: center;"><i>I love a sunburnt country,<br />
A land of sweeping plains,<br />
Of ragged mountain ranges,<br />
Of droughts and flooding rains.<br />
I love her far horizons,<br />
I love her jewel-sea,<br />
Her beauty and her terror -<br />
The wide brown land for me!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><em><strong>Dorothea Mackellar OBE</strong></em></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><em><strong><center><a href="http://www.tonicoward.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o145/jaron79/QLDFloodAppeal.jpg" /></a></center> </strong></em></i> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I feel privileged to live in the country that I do. Its a land of great richness and natural beauty. But it is also a land of stark contrast and the richness and beauty of the land comes at a price. As Dorothea Mackellar penned so many years ago, so it is today, a land of droughts and flooding rains. Here in Western Australia we are experiencing drought conditions and 9 homes have been <a href="http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/lake-clifton-fires-homes-lost-lives-threatened/story-e6frg12c-1225985374097">lost to fire</a> just south of where I used to live and grew up. On the other side of the country, our fellow Australian's in Queensland are being <a href="http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/death-toll-rises-to-eight-as-as-toowoomba-engulfed-by-flash-floods/story-e6frg12c-1225985379256">devastated by torrential rains</a> and flash flooding - flooding which is sweeping away everything in its path, cars, houses, livestock, crops and people.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Australian crafting/sewing/blogging community is as always quick to react when our fellow countrymen are in need and now is no exception. <a href="http://tonicoward.blogspot.com/2011/01/queensland-flood-relief-appeal-auctions.html">Make It Perfect</a> are currently running an auction event starting on Monday 17th January with all monies being donated to the relief efforts in Queensland. Are you able to donate something to the auction? Maybe your talent is more with the purchasing of items? Even if you can only spare a dollar or two I urge you from the bottom of my heart to donate to the <a href="http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html">Premier's Flood Relief Appeal</a> (and if your donation is $5 or more pop over to <a href="http://vintagericrac.blogspot.com/2011/01/it-will-cost-you.html">Ric-Rac</a> for the raffle she is setting up).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Australia, for all her beauty, richness and rewards, is a harsh and exacting mistress but we as Australians are stronger...</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-76806542251949786412011-01-07T21:47:00.000+08:002011-01-20T08:10:23.849+08:00Embracing the new and the old...I think half my reluctance to do anything sewing over the past number of months has stemmed mainly from the room I was working in. We call it "The Front Room", its the formal lounge, a lovely room overlooking the lovely park across the road, but it had also become our dumping ground. Not only that, I had my machines on two small coffee tables and was tracing and cutting on the floor. In short, it was neither a comfortable nor creative haven.<br />
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Over December though I started having a massive clean up in there. We now have some storage space in the roof which has been a life saver. I had an intuitive and as it turns out accurate guess as to what my Christmas present might be - my wonderful hubby really splashed out and got me a stunning Horn sewing cabinet. I worked like a little Christmas elf sorting that room out so much so that it ended up being the "Christmas Room" with the tree, presents etc etc and we had lots of fun Christmas morning ripping into our presents there (and it also gave me heaps of room to put together my wonderful cabinet and Chloe's new doll house).<br />
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There are still a few bits and pieces which we need to get rid of or relocate but for all intents and purposes its now "my room", a little haven that I can retreat to. <br />
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Now that this rather large and daunting job is out of the way, I've been able to turn my attention to other things. Obviously the sewing is one thing but amidst all the junk in the room was something that I had purchased a few months ago at a garage sale. It was a lovely Singer sewing machine, working mind you, in its case and I got it for $60. I was quite chuffed with my purchase at the time and intended for the lovely thing to be a display piece in "my room" when it was all ready.<br />
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So today I decided to do a bit of research on my little prize. I needed to rethread it for starters because I think the kids might have pulled the thread out and because it didnt come with a manual I had to find that first. As it turns out learning about an old Singer is relatively easy. Singer actually provide <a href="http://www.singerco.com/support/serial_numbers.html">serial number identification</a> information online. Because I have the serial number on my machine it was very easy for me to find out that my machine was made in 1952 and it was given its serial number on 1 April along with 40,000 other 201K machines. Yes, as it turns out this machine is a 201K.<br />
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So you might say. Well further research shows that this is a pretty decent little machine. In fact, this is how <a href="http://www.sewalot.com/singer_201k_sewalot.htm">one machine expert</a>, <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.sewalot.com/index.htm">Alex I Askaroff</a> </span>has described the 201K:<br />
<blockquote> "Singer's 201k was undoubtedly the pinnacle of Singer's quality machines. The 201 had arrived on the scene after nearly a century of evolution. It had the very best features of all Singer's models and a price-tag to match. </blockquote><blockquote style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"></span><div align="left"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The <span lang="en-gb">Singer 201K </span>has gone down in history as Singer's finest model. Although technology has moved on, quality has not. The <span lang="en-gb">Singer 201K</span></span> simply represents the very best that Singer's could make and was built to last a lifetime. Even today many professional sewers seek out this elusive model as no new machine can come close to this beauty for reliability and stitch quality."</div></blockquote> Those are some pretty big standards to live up to, but time and again as I continued my research people consistently were saying the same thing - this was possibly Singer's best machine ever!!! So while I had been quite chuffed with my purchase when I first got it, now I was positively beaming with pride for my gorgeous new/old machine.<br />
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</blockquote>Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-68992843114956937012011-01-06T09:22:00.000+08:002011-01-06T09:22:11.557+08:00Placating the zipper godsOK I know I've probably gone on about this way too much now so I promise this will be the last.<br />
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I was thinking last night, the reason the zipper gods insist on making us believe that zips are hard to put in is because they feel neglected. Think about it... when was the last time you looked at a garment and said "wow, that's a gorgeous zip"? Never? We see clothing and love the fabric or the buttons or the ribbon/trim/appliqués but the poor old zip just spends its day going up and down, only getting noticed when they aren't working properly.<br />
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So today I've found some zips which will make you say "wow, that's a gorgeous zip!".<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TSUTH4hVSvI/AAAAAAAAASE/pD1a3u8Izu8/s1600/Brilliant-Zipper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TSUTH4hVSvI/AAAAAAAAASE/pD1a3u8Izu8/s320/Brilliant-Zipper.jpg" width="184" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TSUTTK27UJI/AAAAAAAAASI/buEpJxhZpyM/s1600/Magic_Zipper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TSUTTK27UJI/AAAAAAAAASI/buEpJxhZpyM/s320/Magic_Zipper.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Both from <a href="http://www.stagejewellery.com/diamante-zippers-1313-0.html">here</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TSUUijz-bRI/AAAAAAAAASM/TdCJromaBDI/s1600/Rhinestone_zipper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TSUUijz-bRI/AAAAAAAAASM/TdCJromaBDI/s320/Rhinestone_zipper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> From <a href="http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/201968845/Rhinestone_zipper.html">here</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TSUWLhz0nqI/AAAAAAAAASQ/-QQNOFAlXis/s1600/plastic16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="92" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TSUWLhz0nqI/AAAAAAAAASQ/-QQNOFAlXis/s400/plastic16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> From <a href="http://www.ansun.com/plastic-zippers.html">here</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TSUWk6RzklI/AAAAAAAAASU/FIatgNIjF_g/s1600/polyester15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="92" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TSUWk6RzklI/AAAAAAAAASU/FIatgNIjF_g/s400/polyester15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From <a href="http://www.ansun.com/finish-zipper.html">here</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TSUYVI6NfUI/AAAAAAAAASY/Yl1TaW1jGpM/s1600/ZDEN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TSUYVI6NfUI/AAAAAAAAASY/Yl1TaW1jGpM/s320/ZDEN.jpg" width="73" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">From <a href="http://www.thesewingplace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=5008">here</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So there you go, zips can be fun and funky as well as being functional.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-62028258382130027602011-01-06T08:39:00.000+08:002011-01-06T08:39:33.531+08:00Let's get ready to rumble!!In the LEFT corner, I give you... FAN<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TST9OL50q1I/AAAAAAAAAR0/I2Duw1ppUo8/s1600/standing_fan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TST9OL50q1I/AAAAAAAAAR0/I2Duw1ppUo8/s320/standing_fan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://queensland.inetgiant.com.au/Brisbane/AdDetails/Standing-Fan/2597836">Image</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And also in the left corner, I give you... OVERLOCKER</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TST9swyaRiI/AAAAAAAAAR4/p-C5ScjB5CU/s1600/117199_janome_mylock_744d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TST9swyaRiI/AAAAAAAAAR4/p-C5ScjB5CU/s320/117199_janome_mylock_744d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.productreview.com.au/showitem.php?item_id=60302">Image</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Both are vying for the coveted position of ... POWER SUPPLY!!!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TST-efVTEnI/AAAAAAAAAR8/ED4etLbqVUc/s1600/single-power-points.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TST-efVTEnI/AAAAAAAAAR8/ED4etLbqVUc/s1600/single-power-points.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/902607/210199052-319379906/single-power-points.html">Image</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>MAY THE BEST ELECTRICAL DEVICE WIN!!!!!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Actually it was no competition really, the overlocker didn't even put up a fight. It was so hot and muggy in the sewing room last night I only contemplated pulling the fan out of the socket for all of about 5 seconds before deciding that the fan wasn't going anywhere. I did however need to finish the edges of my facings before sewing them in and rather than going for a regular overedge stitch I decided to go for something a little more fancy...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TSUO7K068_I/AAAAAAAAASA/jmdC8AtOP8I/s1600/IMG_9033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TSUO7K068_I/AAAAAAAAASA/jmdC8AtOP8I/s400/IMG_9033.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">You know, its almost a shame to put them inside the dress where no one will see them, they really are quite cute. And I think half the attraction was sitting in front of the fan cutting out those tiny little triangles, at least I looked industrious sitting there keeping cool.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-28700545767575795522011-01-05T16:05:00.000+08:002011-01-05T16:05:13.000+08:00In all fairness to the Birch Invisible Zipper Foot...OK, so I had a go at the invisible zipper foot in my last post. The instructions that come with it are appalling. However a quick google this morning and the first blog I checked was <a href="http://allthingsmum.blogspot.com/2008/06/invisible-zipper-foot-birch.html">here</a>. I should have done that right from the start. So I just wanted to say thank you to Kim of <a href="http://allthingsmum.blogspot.com/">All Things Mum</a> for restoring my sanity and if you too are having trouble working out just what those small diagrams are trying to tell you check out Kim's pictures. <br />
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And apologises to the zipper foot, as usual it was operator rather than machinery which was to blame LOL.Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-86146990630049854682011-01-05T08:59:00.001+08:002011-01-05T15:52:18.022+08:00Whatever you do... don't anger the zipper gods!!!!Do you have an item of clothing that you love more that any other item of clothing you possess?<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Yeah I know, this doesn't seem to have a lot to do with the title of this post, but bear with me, we're getting there, I'm just taking the scenic route!!)</span><br />
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Maybe you have a pair of trackie pants that have lived through and comforted you through every major aspect of your life. Or maybe its a jumper that you swear you are going to be buried in. For me, at around the age of 16, it was a dress that I had made myself. It was nothing particularly special, cheap green cotton and princess seams reaching down to the ankles. It wasn't made particularly well being one of my first sewing experiences but I absolutely adored that dress. But it wasnt just the dress that I adored, it was the way I felt when I was wearing it. Princess seams look particularly good on me (if I do say so myself). Being of the hourglass persuasion the nipped in waist makes the waist look even smaller and it also does a pretty good job of disguising the bigger hips, thighs and bum as well. In short, it made me feel like a princess whenever I wore it.<br />
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I was thinking about that dress, wondering just what happened to it and decided that I really needed another one. And after asking Mr Ebay in just the right words I found not one, but two patterns which are almost exactly like my beloved dress, one with a very full skirt and the other not so full in the skirt. And to top it off I also found a princess seam pinafore for winter!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Yes I know what you are thinking... what on earth has this got to do with the zipper gods.) </span><br />
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Just before Christmas, the lovely <a href="http://www.eternalcreation.com/">Eternal Creation</a> was selling some of their overstocked fabrics and one in particular I grabbed with the purpose of making the fuller skirt dress. But before I could contemplate cutting into my beloved <a href="http://thefabricaddict.blogspot.com/2010/11/its-been-parcel-y-kind-of-day.html">Eternal Creation fabric</a>, I thought I would do a test run with something else just in case. The only fabric that I had with enough yardage was a very bright peachy coloured quilters cotton that I picked up a Spotlight for about $4 a metre. Figuring that it must have been fate for fabric and pattern to be together, I went to work cutting the other not-quite-so-full dress.<br />
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The dress went together like a dream, I kept trying it on with pins in various places because I was just loving it so much. And then, I angered the zipper gods!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(And finally we get to the point LOL!!)</span><br />
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I happened to make mention on my facebook status that I needed a zipper, in fact here is the conversation:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TSO50HdqmYI/AAAAAAAAARw/Lx8bLr0cejs/s1600/zipper+god.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TSO50HdqmYI/AAAAAAAAARw/Lx8bLr0cejs/s400/zipper+god.bmp" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And this is what angered the zipper gods. I mocked them, said that zippers were easy and as a result they punished me!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I decided I was going to use a Birch Invisible Zipper Foot which I picked up a while ago because it looked pretty nifty. Firstly it took ages for me to actually work out how it went on let alone actually sew with it, the instructions which come with it are impossible. And then when it did come time to sew with it I broke no less than 3 needles in 15cm of sewing which must be some sort of record for a 56cm zip. And so after much praying to the zipper gods, putting on the regular zipper foot and doing it the old fashioned way the zip was in place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So what have I learnt from this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. The zipper gods insist on perpetuating the myth that zips are insanely difficult to place. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. Zips are never, ever easy. Even if you find them easy, never admit to it. Admitting to it will anger the zipper gods (see point 1).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3.This is why everyone says zips are difficult... because they've already had their run-in with the zipper gods and have learnt their lesson. I have now learnt mine. Zipper are notoriously difficult to install! Keep that myth going... it'll keep the zipper gods happy and all your zipper experiences should be happy ones.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now that my zip is in I've just got facings and hems to complete. Have I gushed yet about how much I love this dress...no... I'll save it for another post because there is lots of gushing to come, I absolutely ADORE this dress already!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-10469041664335680962010-12-30T23:51:00.000+08:002011-01-05T15:47:04.074+08:00Do you get the feeling that you've forgotten something...I can not believe that I almost forgot about this <a href="http://retromummy.blogspot.com/2010/12/flower-sugar-giveaway.html">giveaway</a> at Retromummy's blog. All that Flower Sugar goodness!!! But you best get a move along, its being drawn New Year's Eve and thats like... tomorrow!!!!Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-28406224039911044262010-11-29T17:01:00.000+08:002010-11-29T17:02:58.109+08:00Some people just don't know when to stop...Yep, that would be me actually!! You see its that time of the year again when rehearsals start, mangers get dusted off and the good old donkey has to start carting about a heavily pregnant woman (and I pity the poor donkey, and pregnant woman, doing that in Perth at the moment!!!). Yes its nativity time and as the kids go (or are going to) a private school the lower primary years put on a nativity each year. Pre-primary children are always the angels, probably because they've only been at school a year and are therefore still sweet and innocent. The year 1's traditionally get the "main" roles... last year Samuel was Joseph!!! And in year 2 they are given narration parts and are required to dress up as either shepherds or kings, depending on which class gets which part. I was stoked this year, if it was shepherds I would be recycling last years Joseph costume and if it was kings, well I'm a bellydancer... I've got access to all the riches of the mystical east!!! And the winner was.....<br />
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KINGS!!!!<br />
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So what has that got to do with anything. Well, upon finding out that kings it is, I immediately started rummaging through the bellydancing costumes to find appropriate kingly attire. One circle skirt, a coin belt, scarf and chain and I was set. The theory was the circle skirt would be popped over the head, slits in the seams would serve as arm holes, a belt around the waist to hold it in, coin belt draped over the shoulder and tied at the waist and a red scarf to act as a cape. This is totally working, except maybe it could just use a little bit more... now where's that...<br />
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Can you see where this is going??? You see I knew that I had a length of sari border somewhere that I was saving "just in case". As it turns out this was the "just in case". The border was going to be perfect around the hem of the skirt, except there wasn't quite enough. No problems there, the skirt gets laid out flat on the floor and ends up going on an impromptu diet which involves taking off about a quarter of material from each side. As it turns out this is actually a good thing because there is less material all round on Samuel's small frame and heaps of sari border. So skirt now has a rather flash gold sari border and is looking rather royal indeed, except maybe it just needs a little bit more...<br />
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I know, the sleeves, instead of just having two slits in the seam for the sleeves I could se the left over sari border and create some proper sleeves instead, now that would look very royal indeed. So little sleeves are added and everything is looking very good, except...<br />
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Mmmmmm, yes given that Samuel is shall we say somewhat of a slightly skinny disposition the whole neck/sleeve thing isn't really working quite the way I envisaged. Ooooo but I know, if I take the waist band off , hem the lot and add a few pleats/tucks it'll all fall into place perfectly. And so off we go. The neckline is now made up of a series of box pleats which pulls the sleeves back up onto Samuel's shoulders and they fall beautifully with the satin. <br />
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So what started out as a quick slash-the-seams type exercise turned out to be a couple of hours work, but despite that I loved every minute of it. The really scary thing is I keep looking at the costume now and keep thinking, maybe I should add something around the neck just to hide the top of the pleats, or maybe some embroidery would look good on the front panels. Then the more practical side of my brain points out that its probably best to stop before things really get out of hand, it is just for the school nativity...<br />
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But still, I know where I've got some rather smashing jewels which would just look awesome, excuse me while I just go fish them out. Afterall the play isn't until Wednesday morning........<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TPNr3WsTkwI/AAAAAAAAARk/xLujfEsusdY/s1600/IMG_8822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TPNr3WsTkwI/AAAAAAAAARk/xLujfEsusdY/s320/IMG_8822.JPG" width="144" /></a></div>Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-48751426505018658872010-11-22T17:25:00.000+08:002011-01-05T15:47:16.117+08:00Its been a parcel-y kind of day...I've had 4 parcels arrive today, delivered by 3 different parcel guys at 4 different times LOL. The last to arrive was something special for Paul which is going to be put together with something else special for Paul to make an absolutely blow-his-mind type something special... but more on that later.<br />
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Before that was a delivery from StrawberryNet which was lucky because I was kind of needing the moisturiser!!!<br />
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The first two that I received were infinitely more exciting though. The first one came from Japan... to be precise it came from <a href="http://www.fabrictales.com/">Fabric Tales</a>. I actually found this place when I was looking for printed bias bindings... and some rather cute cherry blossom bias binding might have accidentally arrived today in the package (I got the cream one...)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fabrictales.com/cgi-images/cp20-34-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://www.fabrictales.com/cgi-images/cp20-34-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
They also have the lovely<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">echino chelsea</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> d</span></span>ouble gauze of which I helped myself to a couple of yards. But gosh they have some absolutely gorgeous cottons - the sweetest animal prints, delicate floral, traditional Japanese patterns<br />
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Check out these bunnies in their kimonos and tell me they aren't totally irresistible<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fabrictales.com/cgi-images/40608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://www.fabrictales.com/cgi-images/40608.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
What I loved most was these stunning reversible double gauzes. I got this pink one...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fabrictales.com/cgi-images/91060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://www.fabrictales.com/cgi-images/91060.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
but the one that I really, really, really wanted (bunnies and cherry blossoms) was gone in the time between finding the site then actually placing my order.<br />
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Shipping time was absolutely astonishing - from shipping to receiving was 4 days and that included a weekend!!! I cant get things from the Eastern States in 4 days so I was thrilled to receive this today. All in all, fabrictales.com has received a massive thumbs up from me and I cant wait to add to my collection.<br />
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The other package I received today was from <a href="http://www.eternalcreation.com/">Eternal Creation</a>. Here is a bit about Eternal Creation from their website:<br />
<blockquote><div style="padding: 19px 0pt 9px;"><img alt="The Eternal Creation Story" height="20" src="http://www.eternalcreation.com/workshop/images/Eternal-Story.png" width="233" /></div><div class="tourText">After graduating from the East Sydney institute of fashion design in 1994, designer Frances Carrington registered with Australian Volunteers Abroad, hoping to use her skills in a community in Africa. Instead she was sent to India. She was put in charge of the fledgling tailoring department of the Norbulingka Institute in Dharamsala, home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in exile. Her job was to teach newly arrived Tibetan refugees the finer points of tailoring and design. She oversaw the growth of the department from 2 to 15 fulltime staff by the end of her stay.</div><div class="tourText">Falling in love with Indian and Tibetan culture, not to mention the fantastic landscape of the Himalayas, she determined that at the end of her tenure she'd find a way to use her skills to continue to benefit the local community in some way. In 1999, armed with a $5000 loan from her father she started Eternal Creation, with the aim of producing quality womens' sleepwear and accessories.</div><div class="tourText">The early days were difficult. Frances started with only 3 tailors, in association with the Gu-Chu-Sum movement of Tibet, an ex-political-prisoners' organisation based in McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala. Gu-Chu-Sum's 200-plus members are all former prisoners of conscience, some of whom have endured terrible privation and torture at the hands of the Chinese authorities. The organisation is dedicated to improving the lives of recently arrived political refugees by providing jobs, training, health care and accommodation.</div><div class="tourText">The small tailoring unit slowly grew, employing several ex-prisoners and battling with fierce monsoons, water shortages and frequent blackouts, often simultaneously! One of the biggest challenges was training people who had previously led a pastoral or nomadic existence, to understand the concept of delivery deadlines and international quality standards.</div><div class="tourText">With the birth of her 2 children, Frances found herself naturally gravitating towards designing children's clothes, and sales of her initial childrens' collection quickly proved that there was a market for her classical look, love of colour and immaculate tailoring.</div><div class="tourText">As the sales of Eternal products grew in Australia, the company was faced with a difficult decision - outsource or expand? Outsourcing would bring with it the ethical dilemma faced by many designers: how do you know your designs are being made under fair labour conditions and not subcontracted to other factories that may not meet these standards?</div><div class="tourText">Frances felt that outsourcing production would ultimately end up betraying the original reasons she started the company. So she decided to increase the capacity of the workshop, which would provide more jobs for the local Tibetan and Indian community as well as ensuring that Eternal Creation's trademark high quality standards were maintained. In 2005, Eternal Creation opened the Himalaya Tailoring Centre in lower Dharamsala, and today is one of the largest private employers in the area. Eternal Creation products are sold in over 200 stores in Australia, Europe and Asia.</div></blockquote> Now usually I buy stunning clothes for the kids from Eternal Creation, but recently they offered a few of their overstocked fabrics for sale and once again the offer proved irresistible. So here's what I grabbed from them...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TOo2taWgQzI/AAAAAAAAARg/q9sRFAjuvKs/s1600/IMG_8817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/TOo2taWgQzI/AAAAAAAAARg/q9sRFAjuvKs/s320/IMG_8817.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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So as hard as it might be to believe, I'm now well and truly all parcelled out!! Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-76206925255536096962010-10-19T22:14:00.000+08:002011-01-05T15:47:46.396+08:00As the old saying goes...the less you do, the less you want to do. That has very much been the case here lately! I wish I was a bear that could curl up somewhere and sleep away the winter. Each winter seems to get harder and harder, is it getting colder or am I just feeling the cold more? I just don't do cold, I don't do dark mornings and did I mention that I don't do cold?<br />
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So yes the less you do the less you want to do. However I'm trying really hard to get a little motivation happening. Its so hard though, now that I'm in this rut I don't want to leave, its comfortable, its safe. But life wasn't meant to be lived in a rut.<br />
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One good thing to happen over the winter: we have had an area in our roof space fitted out as an attic so now some of the junk that was in the front room aka my sewing room is now stored up in the roof. So as part of Crafty Mamas Sew UP Wednesday I'm doing a bit of a Clean UP Wednesday, I'm going to give the sewing area a right old sort out, anything that is not being used like winter fleeces can be put into the roof space, the mountain of papers that seem to have accumulated in there can be gone through, my Ottos need to be put back where they belong... well you get the idea.<br />
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I'm so hoping that the old saying works in reverse and that the more you do the more you want to do will soon be my new motto.Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-52319728188189960772010-02-21T13:04:00.002+08:002010-02-21T13:44:32.759+08:00Childhood memories of the op shop varietyI did pop into one garage sale yesterday however nothing particularly grabbed me so rather than miss out on <a href="http://herlibraryadventures.blogspot.com/2010/02/flea-market-finds_21.html">Flea Market Finds</a> this week I decided to show some op shopping finds from approximately 25 years ago. My Auntie was pregnant with my cousin and she wanted some woollen baby dresses. Pretty, fancy heirloom type baby dresses mind you. So mum used to dig through the baby clothes and would find heaps of ugly, scratchy, out-of-shape items (you know the sort, you probably find the same sort of things yourself) but every now and then she'd find a little treasure...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S4C4-APSAEI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/pegybRNwYA4/s1600-h/IMG_4000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S4C4-APSAEI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/pegybRNwYA4/s320/IMG_4000.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And sometimes they would need a little work around the neckline where they had began to fray and mum replaced all the buttons and ribbons. Stains were soaked away and they were slowly restored to their former splendour.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S4C5-xnZmkI/AAAAAAAAARA/nVkCwvpJNRY/s1600-h/IMG_4002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S4C5-xnZmkI/AAAAAAAAARA/nVkCwvpJNRY/s320/IMG_4002.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So my Auntie used them for her girls and then they were loving stored away until the next generation. When I found out that I was having Chloe, these were among some keepsakes that were passed onto me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S4C6dmcKhtI/AAAAAAAAARI/1ckIPVVREd8/s1600-h/IMG_4001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S4C6dmcKhtI/AAAAAAAAARI/1ckIPVVREd8/s320/IMG_4001.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><br />
The wonderful thing is, I can remember Mum finding these and restoring them, transforming them from items unwanted into treasured heirlooms. I look forward to a time in the future that I can pass these onto Chloe for her children and tell her the story behind them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S4C6f5GKySI/AAAAAAAAARQ/e_3ZzV3DZpM/s1600-h/IMG_4003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S4C6f5GKySI/AAAAAAAAARQ/e_3ZzV3DZpM/s320/IMG_4003.JPG" /></a></div>Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-10250008882119470942010-02-17T12:38:00.000+08:002010-02-21T13:43:29.101+08:00Here's one I prepared earlier...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S3tyR3AhahI/AAAAAAAAAQo/zXVphm4hVqc/s1600-h/IMG_3983r.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S3tyR3AhahI/AAAAAAAAAQo/zXVphm4hVqc/s320/IMG_3983r.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S3tyaXmPdtI/AAAAAAAAAQw/KuzYS6jbBP0/s1600-h/IMG_3984r.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S3tyaXmPdtI/AAAAAAAAAQw/KuzYS6jbBP0/s320/IMG_3984r.JPG" /></a></div>I've had this piece on the old embroidery frame for ages. I really got stuck into it but found the other frame so hard to work at that, thus its been neglected for quite some time now. I'm hoping now that its on its new frame I'll feel more inclined to sit down and do a little bit.<br />
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The pattern is by Teresa Wentzler and is called Wedding Sampler and this is hopefully what it will one day look like...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S3tuegZfJCI/AAAAAAAAAQI/RQhAPGNl0Vw/s1600-h/ws_l.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S3tuegZfJCI/AAAAAAAAAQI/RQhAPGNl0Vw/s320/ws_l.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
I love Teresa's work; incredibly elegant with so much detail. I am a particular fan of the knotwork borders which many of her designs have. I also love the fact that many of her designs have a medieval or fantasy element which being a bit of a history/fantasy buff appeals to me greatly.<br />
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This isnt the first TW design that I've tackled. The first one I did was The Storyteller...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S3twEP6ptdI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/4t0ZCJCr_1k/s1600-h/story_l.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S3twEP6ptdI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/4t0ZCJCr_1k/s320/story_l.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(This is the picture from the TW website, not my own piece which I haven't photographed yet)</div><br />
This was the very first counted cross stitch piece I did ever! Sure in the past I had done a lot of traced embroidery because that is what mum did. I had to teach myself how to do this though. Probably not the best place for a complete beginner to start but my love of the design, the richness of the colours and the all over intricacy won me.<br />
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Two other designs which I currently have and will (hopefully) one day get to are the Birth Announcement and the Fantasy Triptych...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S3txjcUSY8I/AAAAAAAAAQY/KNdraXplUWE/s1600-h/ba_l.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S3txjcUSY8I/AAAAAAAAAQY/KNdraXplUWE/s320/ba_l.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S3txl_lOYTI/AAAAAAAAAQg/HlikdOQgrQU/s1600-h/ft_l.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S3txl_lOYTI/AAAAAAAAAQg/HlikdOQgrQU/s320/ft_l.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
Unfortunately TW Designworks is now closed but many of Teresa's wonderful designs are still available through patternsonline.com. I know there are many more that I would love to get.Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-7584008226710846892010-02-14T14:55:00.000+08:002010-02-14T14:55:32.181+08:00Just what every blog needs...... A Giveaway.<br />
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I'm pretty much at the 50 post point now (never thought I would get here to be honest) and I've noticed around Blogland it seems that the 50 post point is a good mark to do a giveaway. I've been incredibly fortunate to be the receiver of a giveaway from Sarah Jo from <a href="http://ideyspidey.blogspot.com/">ideyspidey</a> so I'd like to continue on the bloggy goodness by doing a giveaway too.<br />
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But what to give??? If you won a giveaway what would you like it to be? A gift voucher to spend on fabric and notions or something hand pick by moi? Are you into cute little bits and pieces or are you one for stubborn practicality? Would you like to get something made by hand already or something to make up yourself?<br />
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Give me some ideas for a giveaway and I'll start getting something organised!!Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-18364516195751924602010-02-14T14:05:00.000+08:002010-02-21T13:39:46.829+08:00Some exciting finds todays...It's been awhile since I've been op shopping or garage sale shopping. Mum and I used to scour the local op shops together and since she has moved to Darwin it hasn't been quite the same. In fact I had just said that very thing on <a href="http://craftymamas.net/forum/showthread.php?t=18026">Crafty Mamas</a> yesterday. So imagine my surprise today when I found that we not only had a garage sale happening in our street but also one just around the corner. It had to be fate right!<br />
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First stop was the sale around the corner. Not only did they have the most magnificent wicker bassinette that I have ever seen in my whole life (which I totally would have bought expect for the fact that its probably not suitable for a 3yo) but hiding at the back they had this charming embroidery stand. I do have an embroidery stand already but its a cheap, ugly, pine monstrosity which is uncomfortable to sit and work at. This gorgeous little thing is a hand made beauty but most of all its compact and compliments our home perfectly. I was thrilled with it and the lovely lady that sold it to me is thrilled that its going to a good home.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S3eRedFUOhI/AAAAAAAAAPo/oE_61-L6f7Y/s1600-h/IMG_3976r.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S3eRedFUOhI/AAAAAAAAAPo/oE_61-L6f7Y/s320/IMG_3976r.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S3eRxPbn3UI/AAAAAAAAAP4/JysDhPEcYpc/s1600-h/IMG_3977r.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S3eRxPbn3UI/AAAAAAAAAP4/JysDhPEcYpc/s320/IMG_3977r.JPG" /></a></div>At the garage sale in our street I was most disappointed to arrive and find a transaction already under way for a lovely bookcase. Oh well, these things happen. I was going through the clothes that they had and found this lovely pink top which I think with a little work should make a perfectly sparkly fairy princess dress for my resident fairy princess.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S3eRuDb1VDI/AAAAAAAAAPw/pniGKddi_MY/s1600-h/IMG_3978r.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S3eRuDb1VDI/AAAAAAAAAPw/pniGKddi_MY/s320/IMG_3978r.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I'm so happy with my finds today, what a great reintroduction to the world of preloved treasures. If you'd like to see some other really beautiful preloved treasures step over to <a href="http://herlibraryadventures.blogspot.com/">Her Library Adventures</a> and check out some of the other <a href="http://herlibraryadventures.blogspot.com/2010/02/flea-market-finds_14.html">Flea Market Finds</a>.Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-2864715191063060572010-02-11T12:48:00.000+08:002010-02-14T14:31:28.313+08:00Delightful blog giveaway.Let me tell you about a gorgeous blog giveaway high on the "awwwwwww" factor.<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1265863426230"><br />
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<a href="http://thehandmaden.blogspot.com/2010/02/lil-mim-giveaway.html">The Handmaden</a> is giving away a truly divine doll called Lil' Mim. She is simply lovely!!! Just look at that sweet face, so simple yet so fetching. Why not pop over and enter the giveaway as well.Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-32849557999360413592010-01-16T10:22:00.000+08:002010-02-14T14:31:21.099+08:00And ACTION...!!!I couldnt resist a few action shots of Chloe in her new dress, my model however had other plans for those brief five minutes this morning and thus didnt really have her heart in the whole project.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S1Ehvf697EI/AAAAAAAAAPI/KTKctm6o8TA/s1600-h/IMG_7366r.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S1Ehvf697EI/AAAAAAAAAPI/KTKctm6o8TA/s320/IMG_7366r.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S1Eh9crrzgI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/dN1G3_8q900/s1600-h/IMG_7367r.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S1Eh9crrzgI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/dN1G3_8q900/s320/IMG_7367r.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S1EiMwlvJKI/AAAAAAAAAPY/8kSeJ4IqlYw/s1600-h/IMG_7368r.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S1EiMwlvJKI/AAAAAAAAAPY/8kSeJ4IqlYw/s320/IMG_7368r.JPG" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S1EicTJwsMI/AAAAAAAAAPg/8KtaIcDW9o8/s1600-h/IMG_7369r.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iCXNIwiolwE/S1EicTJwsMI/AAAAAAAAAPg/8KtaIcDW9o8/s320/IMG_7369r.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And thats it, shoot is now officially over, model is returning to her abode.<br />
</div>Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-42243685957083014732010-01-15T07:20:00.000+08:002010-01-15T07:29:49.973+08:00Pattern Alteration in ONE easy step...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Step One: Alter entire mind set!<br />
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All my life I've thought of sewing as something quite difficult, incredibly frustrating and probably not worth the effort. The basis for this sewing outlook started for me at the tender age of 5 with "The White Dress". Mum decided to make a white pinafore dress for a special occasion when I was about 5. From what I can remember it had a fairly simply bodice, waist band, skirt and a side zipper. While I dont clearly remember the dress in great detail, I can quite clearly remember the frustration and angst it caused Mum, not to mention getting called over every 5 minutes to try the damn thing on (well it felt like every 5 minutes anyway). I dont remember her making any of our clothes after that, the machine only came out for mending.<br />
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That was my first experience with home sewing (and it wasnt even me doing the sewing) and its shaped my sewing life. Fortunately as I complete projects I'm finding it easier to shake the ghosts of sewing past and as I do so I've come to find that yes while sewing can be frustrating and sometimes difficult it can also be particularly rewarding and often times far more simple that expected, not to mention you get to hoard incredibly gorgeous fabric. That last one, I'm really good at!!!!<br />
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So here goes... step one: alter entire mind set...<br />
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When I received my yard of <a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/store/ecom-prodshow/MMTSNA.html">Minny Muu's Tiny Strawberries</a> from <a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/">Sew, Mama, Sew</a>, Paul was home and the first thing he asked was "so what are you going to do with it?" Now I had every intention of hoarding it away as I do but it doesn't go down too well when you say you are adding it to the stockpile. So I kind of evasively said I didnt really know yet. As it turns out that doesnt go down too well either because he immediately said "why did you buy it then?" (Well derrr dear... although that probably wouldnt have gone down well at all LOL). "Because it was cute" was my reply and cue male eye roll. Anyway, I was determine to make something immediately just so I could say "see, see, I've done something with it".<br />
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As I said, I had no idea what I was going to do with it but I knew it was going to have to be something simple to compliment the fabric. A flick through my Japanese pattern book gave me the idea to do simple pleats in the front but I wanted two pleats not just the one pleat dress which is in the book. A flick through my Ottos provided further inspiration in the form of this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ottobredesign.com/lehdet_js/2005_4/sivut/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.ottobredesign.com/lehdet_js/2005_4/sivut/7.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was exactly what I wanted... well except for the glaringly obvious fact that its a winter dress which lets face it would be absolute overkill in an Australian summer and not really the best way to use such a soft light fabric.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the past I would have thrown up my hands in despair and gone for the Japanese dress even though it wasnt exactly what I wanted. This time I really thought about what I was doing, similar projects I had done in the past, how the dress was constructed and if it would be possible to alter it the way I wanted. My recent experience with the Button Top and Cherub dress made me realise that I could very easily remove the sleeves and simply line the bodice (which would be a plus considering that the fabric is very light). However the dress in the picture has a zipper and not being confident to do the lining and zipper I decided that the zipper simply had to go. With no zipper in the back I didn't need two separate back pieces for the skirt and so I cut it out as one just like the front. How I was going to keep the whole lot together at the back with no zipper was a complete mystery and it wasnt until I was top stitching that I had my light bulb moment and finally decided to do one simple ribbon at the top to compliment what would eventually be on the front.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once I had it clear in my head exactly how I was going to construct this it all went together so very easily. In fact, the hardest thing about the whole dress was the agonising decision on whether or not I should add the ric rac trim to the neckline and hem. Fortunately a quick poll at Crafty Mamas and the overwhelming majority voted that ric rac was the way to go.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(Actually I'll amend that, the hardest thing about this whole project was trying to find the red thread to stitch the ric rac on with. I found the bobbin no trouble but it took ages to find the cotton and I knew I had used it to sew on the ribbon at the front and I was determine not to buy another because I knew I had some. Anyway I finally found it... lets just say, dont leave cotton reels out where new kittens might get hold of them otherwise they could end up in a completely different place from where you left them such as oh I dont know in amongst all your shoes in your wardrobe maybe.)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So there we go, more sewing ghosts banished. Its nice to know that I am competent enough to make alterations if necessary and not just tiny alterations either. That just because a pattern says "this is what I am" it doesnt mean that is exactly what it has to be. I'm absolutely thrilled with the way the dress has turned out. Its perfect, exactly what I wanted!!!<br />
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PATTERN INSPIRATION: Ottobre 4/2005 Pattern 1 Baby's Dress with modifications (Size 98cm)<br />
FABRIC: Minny Muu Tiny Strawberries Natural from Sew, Mama, Sew<br />
TRIM: Red French Baby Ric Rac from <a href="http://www.ribbonsgalore.com.au/index.php">Ribbons Galore </a>Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-17950923460791923472010-01-14T14:04:00.003+08:002010-01-14T15:21:09.086+08:00When is a quilt cover not a quilt cover...?When its a cute little Button Top and Ruffle Pants of course.<br />
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When I first saw this <a href="http://www.ezibuy.com.au/Homeware/Children/Polly_Duvet_Cover_Set/41645.htm">quilt cover</a> on Ezibuy, I knew I absolutely had to have it and I knew immediately that it would not be used as intended ie as a quilt cover. The great thing about the Ezibuy quilt covers is you get a lovely top print, you get a lovely coordinating back print (and you get a lot of both), the quality is really good and you can often get them at around 40% off if you wait for them to go on sale... and thats what I did.<br />
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So I had my super cute material, I needed a fun pattern to go with it and I decided to do the Button Top and Ruffled Pants from Ottobre 3/2008 again. The pattern really suits this material dont you think. All the ruffles have such a fun look to them and the two materials compliment each other perfectly, as you would expect.<br />
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So next time you are looking for some coordinating fabric for that next project, try a quilt cover. In fact just as soon as <a href="http://www.ezibuy.com.au/Homeware/Bedroom/Chelsea_Duvet_Cover_Set/42967%5B2%5D.htm">this one</a> goes on sale I think I might have to get it... for me this time.<br />
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(Pics are coming... just waiting for the camera battery to recharge *sigh*, why do these things always run out when you are in the middle of something).<br />
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And here we go... you'll have to forgive us for its rather crumpled state, Madam had quite literally just woken up from her nap, yes pigtails and all.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just on a side note, I couldnt even use the pattern pieces I had already cut out from my first set. My dear daughter decided to grow 5cm between October and December meaning she needed the 98cm rather than the 92cm. What a ratbag!!!!<br />
</div>Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589665577560452925.post-69563835739772532192010-01-12T10:05:00.000+08:002010-01-14T14:34:59.894+08:00Customer Service AnnouncementI've set my commenting to Anonymous because I like to feel that it allows more people to particpate. But please be aware that if you post any sort of "advertising" in your comment I will immediately delete your comment. That specifically means you Ms videosof womengivingbirth.com (or whatever the hell it was) but includes anyone who thinks they can use my blog as their dumping ground. If you have a blog that you want to link to then sign in and leave your message, I love to visit other blogs and chances are really high that I'll become one of your followers. Carlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980269170883005671noreply@blogger.com2